Calories in Donut
A typical glazed donut (~58g) is about 240 kcal. Specialty donuts (cream-filled, frosted, jelly) reach 300-400 kcal each.
Nutrition by portion size
| Portion | kcal | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Fiber (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 glazed donut (~58g) | 240 | 33 | 3 | 11 | 0.6 |
| 1 chocolate frosted donut | 280 | 36 | 3.5 | 14 | 1 |
| 1 jelly-filled donut | 280 | 38 | 3.5 | 13 | 0.7 |
| 1 Boston cream donut | 320 | 40 | 4 | 16 | 0.8 |
| 1 large Krispy Kreme glazed (~50g) | 190 | 22 | 2 | 11 | 0.5 |
| 1 dozen donuts (assorted) | 3000 | 410 | 40 | 145 | 8 |
About these numbers
Donuts are deep-fried sweet bread — among the most calorie-dense pastries. The combination of refined flour, sugar, and frying oil produces 240-400 kcal per donut at minimal protein/fiber contribution. A "couple of donuts" habit (2 daily) adds 480 kcal/day without satiety — 50 lbs/year without compensation.
Use the calculators
- Calorie Deficit Calculator — find how this portion fits your daily target
- Glycemic Load Calculator — compute exact GL for any serving size
- Macro Calculator — set protein, carb, fat splits for cut/maintain/bulk
- Net Carbs Calculator — useful for keto and T1D insulin dosing
Related foods
Frequently asked questions
- How many calories in a donut?
- Plain glazed: ~240 kcal. Chocolate frosted: ~280 kcal. Boston cream / cream-filled: ~320 kcal. Krispy Kreme original glazed (smaller): ~190 kcal. The range is 190-400 kcal per donut.
- Is a donut bad for weight loss?
- In regular consumption, yes. The 200-300 kcal hit provides minimal satiety, so a donut doesn't reduce other food intake. The 2017 Hall NIH study on ultra-processed foods (donuts are emblematic) showed people ate 500+ extra kcal/day when these foods were available. For weight loss: occasional indulgence (1 donut max as planned), not a regular addition.
- Blood sugar impact?
- Large. A typical donut has GL ~22 (high). For T2D and prediabetes, donuts are among the worst options for glucose response. The combined refined-flour-and-sugar load produces sharp post-meal spikes.
- Healthier donut alternatives?
- Protein donuts (recipes using Greek yoghurt, oat flour, protein powder): 150-200 kcal with 8-12g protein. Baked donuts at home (substitute applesauce for some oil): 30-40% fewer calories. For occasional treats only — even the "healthier" versions don't belong in regular weight loss eating.
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